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Loughborough University research pinpoints most dangerous HGV designs

HGVs with high cabs have the most blind spots and pose the greatest risk to vulnerable road users, research by Loughborough University has found.

All the cyclists obscured from the view of a HGV driver

Transport for London (TfL) commissioned the study to understand blind spots across HGVs as they are disproportionately involved in collisions involving pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists in the capital city.

The research team from the Loughborough Design School analysed 19 of the most popular HGVs, including construction, distribution and long haul vehicles and those with high and low cab designs.

They digitally scanned all 19 vehicles to create exact CAD models that could then be accurately assessed. Then using real accident data they were able to recreate scenarios involving vulnerable road users, placing them in a number of defined locations adjacent to all 19 vehicles and plot exactly where blind spots existed.

The team is now calling for a new standard which defines what should be visible through direct vision from a HGV. Such a standard does not currently exist, and is seen by them as a key mechanism for improving future vehicle designs.

Discussing the research findings, project leader Steve Summerskill said: “We found that all standard vehicle configurations have blind spots which can hide vulnerable road users from the driver’s direct vision.

“However the height of the cab above the ground isthe key vehicle factor which affects the size of direct vision and indirect vision blind spots. Low entry cab designs, which are the lowest of the 19 vehicles tested, demonstrated real benefits in terms of reducing direct vision blind spots when compared to standard vehicle designs.

“If you seriously want to reduce the number of collisions involving vulnerable road users and HGVs you have to improve the direct field of vision for drivers – and from our research this means lowering HGV cab designs or adopting low entry cab designs.”

Ian Wainwright, Head of Freight and Fleet at TfL, added: “The best decisions are those based on evidence, and the research that we commissioned Loughborough to undertake is another tool in the box to make the right choices to improve road safety. This research into comparing direct vision of HGV drivers will create the platform to take efforts on road safety further.”

Notes for editors

Press release reference number: PR 16/109

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Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.

In September 2015 the University opened an additional academic campus in London’s new innovation quarter. Loughborough University London, based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities.